New channel Moscow-Chicago with the throughput 155 Mbps was launched by Russian Backbone Network (RBNet)

The period of operational testing and routing for new channel Moscow - Chicago with the throughput 155 Mbps of computer network RBNet was successfully finished. With the assistance of International Research Network STAR TAP (Star Light) was provided secure operation of land transatlantic telecommunicational channel. Control center of STAR TAR network is situated at the University of Illinois at Chicago. STAR TAP connects with the Ameritech Network Access Point (NAP) in Chicago, and enables network traffic to flow to international collaborators from over 150 U.S. leading-edge research universities and institutions, including supercomputing centers: APAN (Asia-Pacific Advanced Network), CERNET (China Education and Research Network), NORDUnet (Nordic Countries' National Networks for Research and Education (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden), CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) and others.

New channel extends the possibilities of RBNet network users in connecting to international educational networks. Moscow-Chicago is the second channel connecting RBNet to the international segment of Internet network. The first such channel with the same throughput 155Mbps connect RBNet with the Europe. Access to the Russian segment of Internet is provided by the connecting to the Moscow Internet Exchange (MSK-IX).

Russian Backbone Network (RBNet) has been established to provide Internet service for science and high school community in Russia. RBNet is being developed in the framework of one of the projects within the National Program funded by the Russian government. Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN) is responsible for this project. Currently the development of RBNet is carried under 'The Interdepartmental Program: Developing the National Research Computer Network of New Generation'.

RBNet is based on digital channels provided by Rostelecom, Transtelecom, Space Communications, Metrocom and other telecommunication operators. There are also some fiber-optical segments in Moscow and St. Petersburg owned by RBNet. Network Operation Center is being supported by RIPN. The Control Center and 24 hours network operability monitoring center is situated in Moscow on the technological platform of RIPN.

In 2002 priority was set to support the nodes located in the federal regions centers such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, , Rostov-na-Donu, Samara, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Kazan and others.